Machine for separating particles by specific weight



E. HIGGINBOTTOM MACHINE FOR SEPARATING PARTICLES BY SPECIFIC WEIGHT Filed Aug. 14.

[f in 5023001 Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED 'sTATes .nnwriv nreerivnorroivi, or mem s, n'n IJAND.

MACHINE non snrnnatrme PARTICLES BY srncinrc' tvnieirr.

Application filed August 14. 1924, Serial No. 732.069, and inGreat Britain August 14, 1923.

This invention relates to machines for separating grains, stones, seeds or granules of materials through their varying specific weight by means of a moving medium such as a liquid, and of the type in which it has hitherto been usual to actuate such medium by mechanism outside of the separator.

According to this invention, more regular separations, a greatly simplified procedure, and economy both in power required to drive the machine and in the space-occupied, is obtained. by making the machine self-contained in the manner hereinafter more particularly set out and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. i

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in part sectional elevation, Figure 2 is also a View in part sectional elevation but illustrating a modification. while Figure 3 is a detail view.

Referring to the drawing the separator is constructed with contiguous vertical or nearly vertical walls 1,2, 3, the walls 1 and 2 being spaced to provide a passage 5, and the walls 2- and 3 being spaced to provide a passage T. The walls 1, 2, and 3, are concentric and wall 1 is preferably provided by the vertical surface of a circular member arranged to rotate and provided below the wall with vanes 4; arranged to induce an upward or lifting movement direct to the separating medium in the passage 5 such medium after performing the desired separation passing through a pervious screen or screens 6 within the machine and returning to its starting point by a contiguous passage 7 to revolving vanes 1. 8 is a guiding bearing for the central shaft 9 in order to keep walls 1 and 2 equidistant and past which the separating medium flows equally at all points of its circumference.

The central shaft 9 carries impellers 11 and an annular plate 12 opening up the material under treatment. 13 is a perforated or plain revolving drum on shaft 9 and which carries lifters 14 which raises the material under treatment from the separating medium and delivers the same through a suitable spout 15. As noted in the drawing, these lifters 1a are formed by oblique or helical plates carried on the periphery of drum 13. Motion is imparted to the machine by driving pulleys 16. The material to be separated is fed into the centre of drum 13 through which it falls directly by gravity intothe separating medium and to the impellers 11 and annular plate 12 the lightest material being liftedby the separating medium to the periphery of the drum 13 by means of the lifters 1 1 and thence through the spout 15', whilst the heavier matter acco-rding to the velocity of the separating medium descends through the passage 5 and collects in the bottom of the casing from which it may be discharged when required by opening thevalve 17. y

The level of the. separating medium is maintained at aboutthat indicated by the dotted line 11, 1 1. Varies 18 serve to steady the admixture of materialand medium during the process of separation. An adjustable siphon pipe 19 is employed to maintain the desired level for the liquid medium,

whilst a suitable inlet which can be inserted at any convenient position preferably at the opposite side of the machine to siphon pipe 1.9 or through the -drum'13, is provided for supplying freshliquid to replace that carried away treatment. 7

In some cases the walls 1 may be carried up to or beyond the plate 12 and the imby the nateria-l under pellers 11 combine with the same, or the plate 12 may be made one with the steadying vanes 18.

The impellers 11 (see Fig. 3) serve the treble purpose of immersing and washing the incoming grain and ot' automatically keeping clean the surface of the pervious screen 6 by the wash of the water from their ends.

According to a modification the Whole or a part of the elii'ninating scrapers or lifters l i are driven at a higher speed than that of the central shaft 9. One way in which this may be accomplished is shewn in Figure 2 of the drawiiig in which drum 13 with the scrapers or lifters 1 1 has superimposed a second similar drum 18 with scrapers or lifters 19 to receive the grain from the drum 18 and lifters 14 and submit it to a higher velocity, or I may prefer in some cases to dispense with the slower revolving drum 13 and raise the grain with the faster runningdrum 18 from the water line AA and to deliver the same through the spout 15.

The higher speed drum 18 is carried by a loose sleeve 20 with a bearing collar 21 upon shaft 9 and is driven by gear wheels 22, 23, and 2 1 from wheel 25 which is fixed to shaft the liquid forcing means.

9. 26 is an inside revolving hopper to receive the grain fed in and deliver sameto water lineAAand the impellers '11.

What is claimed is i 1. A separating machine, co1nprisin a casing, means withinsaidcasingada pte to receive the material to be treated andthrow it outwards, means in saidcasing for forcing liquid upward into the outwardly flowing stream of material; and a casing outside said casing, and forming therewith. a conduitfor the return liquid from; the upper part of the machine. to the lower part and 2. A separating machine, comprising means adapted to receive the material to be treated and to throw it outwards, means for forcing liquid upward into the outwardly flowing stream; of material and a rotary drum with blades arranged obliquely on the periphery of same and extending from a point within the surface of the liquid to a point well above same and adapted to lift and elevate the material from the level to a deliver] part above. p

.3, A separating machine, comprising means adapted to receive the material to be treated and to throw it outwards, means for forcing liiquidupward intothe outwardly flowing stream of material, a rotary drum withlblades arranged obliquelyon the periphery of sameand extending fnom a point within the surfaced the liquid to a point above sameranda second rotaiy drnm sum- 55 lar to and above said first mentioned drum,

lifter operating at the surface of the liquid and above the same, impellers operating in the liquid and a plate underlying said impellers. a

5. A, separating machine comprising means i adapted to receive the material to he treated, rotary means below said first mentioned means adapted to receive the material and tomeohanically centrifugally throat the nraterial outwards, a Wall or surface disposed outside and aroundthe periphery of the: rotary means and spaced therefrom, and liquid fencing means below the rotary means for forcing the liquid upward through the space between the said periphery and the wall or surface into the outwardly flowing stream of material; p

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

I EDWIN HIGGINBOTLTOM. 

